Sony MDR-XB50AP Extra Bass Review – Budget Earbuds That Pack A Punch

Similar to Sony MDR-XB50AP Extra Bass:

• Best cheap earbuds
• Best bass earbuds
• Most durable earbuds

What’s in the box?

• Sony MDR-XB50AP in-ear headphones
• 4 silicone earbuds (XS, S, M, L)
• Carrying bag
• User manual

Comfort & Fit

4.0 Great

The Sony MDR-XB50AP may seem heavy because of the size—they are quite big—but that’s not the case. On the contrary, they are lightweight. Once you put them in, you can move around with no problems.

The only time size could be a problem is when the buds sticking out would be uncomfortable. For example, sleeping on the side is painful and uncomfortable.

The reason for the bigger casing is the drivers, 0, 47 inches (12 mm) big. They’re bigger than with most in-ear headphones.

Also, in the package, you get four different sizes of silicone ear tips. You can choose extra small, small, medium and large.

When in the ears they feel soft and don’t move when you wiggle your head. The low weight of the headphones helps them stay firmly in the ear. As a result, you can use them for sports but keep in mind they aren’t sweatproof.

Distinguishing between the left and right earpiece is simple thanks to the design. There is only one way they fit. Nonetheless, on the housing, you can find the markings to make sure you are right.

Overall, the bass earbuds are surprisingly comfortable and have a stable fit for everyday and active use.

Noise Isolation

4.0 Great

When it comes to blocking ambient noise, the Sony MDR-XB50AP offer above-average passive noise isolation. Keep in mind, the tighter the fit, the better the blocking.

Silicone earbuds are more than good enough to make an air-tight fit though you have to find the right size for your ears. If you use smaller tips, the earbuds will leak more noise, inside and out. Additionally, with the lousy fit, you lose the before mentioned bass, as it escapes from the ear.

Note: The XB50AP are not active noise cancelling.

Since we’re talking about noise, cable noise isn’t a huge issue. You might hear some of it during extreme movement but generally isn’t bothersome. The flat cable protects against it quite well.

Durability

4.0 Great

The build quality of Sony MDR-XB50AP is apparent immediately after opening the box. They feel solid featuring an ergonomic design and made of quality plastics and metal. This is a quality product full stop that will last you a long time.

The housing is made of black rubber and metal casing. While many earbuds made from the same materials are sweatproof, these are not.

We think metal casing is a nice touch for cheap earbuds and helps them look like a quality product.

The headphones use gold plated 3.5mm “L” plug to connect with your device. It’s also well protected against straining.

The cord is flat and Y-type so it can withstand a lot of curling and other abuse. Additionally, the wire is tangle-free, so it’s harder to entangle, and WHEN it does, it’s easier to clean up.

To summarize, the Sony MDR-XB50AP headphones are well built and will serve you a long time.

Features

2.5 Average

They come in three colors red, blue and black, with silicone ear tips always grey.

Also, on the cord, you get a microphone and multipurpose remote control. It serves as play/pause button for music and answer/decline for incoming calls. Unfortunately, there’s no volume and song control. For that, you need to use an Android smartphone and an app.

Since they cost little, this isn’t a big disappointment.

Furthermore, there is also a slider for adjusting the length of the side cables. Controlling it comes in handy when you’re active and need a better fit.

Accessories

3.0 Good

They come in a simple paper box. Inside you will not find lots of accessories, but you do get a soft carrying bag—together with the headphones and ear tips. It’s a nice touch for a budget product but nothing special.

Don’t let this turn you off, because you get more value in comfort and audio quality.

Sound

3.0 Good

The Sony MDR-XB50AP Extra Bass, like their full name states, have lots of additional lows.

When you first hear them, you will know they mean business. Low sounds are deep, punchy, and excessively “boomy.” The low sounds come from the 12mm dynamic driver mentioned earlier. Now you know why they’re so big.

Bass is something these headphones don’t lack. It’s dominant, deep, and overpowering other ranges, which means excellent for bass lovers. On the other hand, a bass-heavy soundstage isn’t suitable for anyone who prefers more balance. These are strictly for bassheads and bass enthusiasts.

If you prefer a balanced sound and dislike overpowering bass you should avoid these.

The middle range is notably recessed in low and mid-mids, though high-mids are richer.  Like with the middle range, treble is present but not an element of sonic fidelity. Highs are about average. It translates into somewhat muffled vocals. Still, this is a minor thing, and you need sharp ears to hear it.

Moreover, the soundstage is about average; the overpowering lows are really in the center of it, so it’s harder to separate the positional accuracy.

Nevertheless, the sound experience of Sony MDR-XB50AP will convince any bass lover. They are one of the most popular bass in-ear headphones at the moment.

In the end, when you look a the whole picture, you are getting a durable, comfortable, and cheap earbuds with an excessive bass sound that won’t leave you cold.

Specifications

Matija Ferjan

Matija Ferjan is a seasoned audio enthusiast reviewing headphones since 2015. He has personally tested hundreds of headphones and earbuds. He’s an active member of the Headphone Audio community and a true nitpicker, always looking for the “best-value-for-money” headphones.